Washington lawmakers were busy this year, and a wave of new laws will have a major impact on the workplace. Employers must be aware of significant workplace laws taking effect within the next year, including 11 new laws that...more
7/30/2025
/ Agricultural Workers ,
Business Closures ,
Child Labor ,
Coercion ,
Collective Bargaining ,
Construction Project ,
Criminal Background Checks ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Driver's Licenses ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Pay ,
Family Medical Leave ,
Hate Crimes ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Job Ads ,
Job Applicants ,
Labor Law Violations ,
Layoffs ,
Mini-Warn Acts ,
New Legislation ,
Notice and Cure Requirement ,
Notice Requirements ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Sick Leave ,
Personnel Records ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Private Right of Action ,
Public Projects ,
Safety Standards ,
State Labor Laws ,
Time-Off Policies ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Unions ,
Wage and Hour ,
Washington ,
Workplace Safety
The cannabis industry is growing at a rapid pace given the proliferation of states legalizing medical and recreational use. Indeed, most states already have a comprehensive medical cannabis program, and many are rolling out...more
4/14/2023
/ Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Dispensaries ,
Drug Testing ,
Employment Policies ,
Labor Regulations ,
Local Ordinance ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
State Labor Laws ,
Trade Secrets ,
Unions ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety
Governor Inslee and Washington’s Department of Health have been busy the past two weeks modifying existing mask rules and enacting new vaccine requirements for certain classes of healthcare workers. There has been enough...more
8/25/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Governor Inslee ,
Health and Safety ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Masks ,
Public Health ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
State Health Departments ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Despite the CDC’s recent news regarding relaxed mask recommendations, those Washington employers eager to return to business as usual must still comply with Governor Inslee’s May 21 “Safe Workers’ Proclamation” and Washington...more
5/28/2021
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Governor Inslee ,
Health and Safety ,
High Risk Covid Employees ,
Interactive Process ,
Masks ,
New Guidance ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Social Distancing ,
Vaccinations ,
Workplace Safety
Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently amended an executive proclamation that imposes certain workplace protection for high-risk workers during pandemic, granting employers some additional flexibility that will take effect...more
Hospitality employers face some of the strictest workplace safety requirements intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic under state, county, and or even city requirements. These include mandates for employee pre-shift...more
7/31/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Privacy Rights ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Health and Safety ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Sick Employees ,
Virus Testing ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety
As an increasing number of businesses begin to require face coverings in their facilities – whether as a result of a local legal mandate or in the interest of public safety – there has been a corresponding increase in the...more
The restaurant industry has been severely impacted by state shutdown orders. As states start reopening businesses, it is vital to know the applicable rules that apply to your location or locations. Whether you operate a...more
7/1/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Food Service Workers ,
Health and Safety ,
Masks ,
Paid Leave ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Sick Leave ,
State Labor Laws ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Washington Governor Inslee just issued a restaurant/tavern guidance to help your business prepare for Phase II of his progressive, four-phase plan to reopen the state. These new guidelines allow restaurants to re-open for...more
5/13/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Governor Inslee ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
Our Seattle office has continued to update our guidance to respond to commonly asked questions and local resources for Washington employers...
Do we have to close our business per the governor’s March 23 Proclamation?
It...more
3/30/2020
/ Business Closures ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Governor Inslee ,
Health and Safety ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Retailers ,
Social Distancing ,
Workplace Safety
With Governor Inslee’s announcement Sunday evening that he would be issuing an Emergency Proclamation ordering the closure of restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities, all Washington businesses have...more
3/18/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Entertainment Industry ,
Governor Inslee ,
Health and Safety ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Public Health ,
Retailers ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety